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Pipers continue with game two drama and earn MIAC split

For the second time in as many nights, the Hamline University baseball team pulled out a dramatic extra-innings win in the second game of a double-header, this time overcoming a late 8-0 deficit to pull out the MIAC split. The Pipers lost 3-0 before winning the second in 11 innings, 9-8, against Gustavus Adolphus at home.

For the second night in a row, it was first-year shortstop Ryan Hackel who was the extra-innings hero as he drove in the game-winning run with a sharp shot to left field.

Win the split, the Pipers are now 23-12, 13-5 MIAC and the Gusties are now 12-19, 8-10 MIAC. Hamline will conclude the regular season with their final conference double-header on Saturday, May 7, at Bethel. The first game is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.

Hamline's best scoring chance in the opening game came early as Ben Richardson got into scoring position after he hit a single. But a strike out ended that scoring threat for the Pipers.

The score remained tied at 0-0 until the top of the fifth when Max Laureano hit a lead-off single. A pair of bunt singles loaded the bases for the Gusties before Mitch Johnson drove in two runs with another single.

The Gusties' final run came in the seventh as Cody Sukalski hit a triple to drive in a run. Sukalski also threw a complete-game shutout for Gustavus in the opener, striking out five batters.

Tony Rogers was 2-for-3 at the plate, leading the Pipers.

Starter Dylan Olson went four innings, taking the loss on the mound for the Pipers as he struck out four batters and gave up five hits.

Sukalski also started the second game for the Gusties, and ultimately threw five innings before coming out of the game.

The Pipers got down early to the Gusties in game two, as Gustavus scored in each of the first five innings to build up an 8-0 lead.

Sukalski led Gustavus at the plate, as well, as they built up the lead. He had an RBI single in a three-run second and then drove in a run with a double in the fourth.

The Pipers wouldn't go away however, and knocked Sukalski out of the game after the fifth as they doubled their hit total to eight to score two runs in the bottom of the frame.

That sent Sukalski to shortstop in the sixth, and the Pipers picked on the Gustavus relief pitching staff to tally six runs with two outs in the sixth, tying up the game.

A lead-off single by Cory Miller was negated as Ryan Hackel hit into a double-play on the next at-bat.

With the bases empty and two outs, Andy Powell hit a double to left field. Rogers then reached on an error that ultimately scored Powell. Jordan Buck then hit a single that put runners on first and second.

King then loaded the bases with a single and Rogers and Buck scored as Richardson hit a ball to right center, leaving runners on the corners and the Pipers down, 8-5.

Matt Pasma drove in King before J.D. Modrynski singled in a run, getting Hamline to within one, 8-7.

Hamline's tying run came as Cory Miller singled to right field, scoring Pasma.

The teams danced through the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth innings without scoring.

It was once again a two-out effort that got the Pipers a run, this time the game-winner in the bottom of the 11th. Modrynski hit a two-out single through the left side and advanced into scoring position as Miller drew a walk.

Then Hackel stepped up to the plate in a familiar position, and once again drove in the game-winner to end the game in extra-innings.

Cass Kreitlow threw five innings in relief for the Pipers to get the win, coming off of a complete-game win on Sunday against Augsburg. He faced 16 batters, striking out seven of them and walking just one.

Richardson was 5-for-6 at the plate in the second game, scoring one run and driving in three.